The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-22
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
DESTROY THE WEEDS.


neglected 10 a greater or less extent, and dur
ing such period of neglect is the time when
weeds seem TO put in their best work. Where
not a single weed could be found. at the expira-
tion of two or three weeks they will exist
in profuson, and in, some instances, where
the state of fertility is favorable, OF large
size. Then is the time they should surely be
attended TO, for the reason that with most
varieties Of weeds they possess great power of
reproduction from the great number Of seeds
that a few plants will ripcn. 1t would seem as
though the design of nature is that the earth's
surface should surely be covered with vegeta-
ton of some kind and that in the line of seed
ing there should never be failure. Constant
vigilance is necessary to secure clean garden
and prevent the maturity Of noxious weed
seeds. Where this is accomplished for a few
years under ordinary conditions the care Of a
vegetable garden becomes much less laborious
and much more satisfactory.
USE OF LINE.
The practice of lining land in the Fall is one
that obtains wherever there is good farming.
Lime constitutes the largest portion of the
mineral elements of numerous plants, and
nearly one-haf of the ash Of the majority Of
most indispensable food forcrops. IL has bene-
fetal effect upon the soil in three ways: IL
rapidly decomposes organic matter; itdissolves
silica and releases potash. magnesia soda and
phosphoric acid from their combinations as sill
Gates and this is a purveyor of food for crops
and it greatly aids and encourages the nitrtica-
ton Of organic matter in the soil. There is,
therefore, no more useful fertilizer that can be
applied TO the soil, and the most convenient
aud afl iDan ifc ia in IN
Fall when the land is prepared for Fall grain.
1t is an old but foolish adage that " lime en-
riches the fathers. but ruins the sons" meaning
that il impoverishes the soil. But this is only
true when il is used in an injudcious manner
and without adequate manuring. A truer
maxim would be that lime is the basis of good
farming. and makes rich farmers" for this is
strictly true, and true for all Soils whether they
be sand or clay or even abundantly supplied
with Limestone.
CHICKENS FOR HOME USE.
In raising chickens, home use ought not to be
lost sight of Because early chickens bring
large returns, the family table ought not TO be
denied the luxury Of an occasional chicken,
cooked in any Of the numerous desirable modes
of serving the same. As the season advances,
and later chickens become more plenty, the
prices usually rule correspondingly low. And
while consumers viii pay 20 cents per pound
for beef, chickens, which are far better meat,
will be sold for nearly half that There are no
persons who can better afford TO enjoy good
broiled chicken or chicken soup than the
farmer, and the late chicks should be put TO
home use.
BLAST ON ONIONS.
A considerable proportion of the crop of
onions is grown in Connecticut, State that
formerly was almost wholly depended upon for
that crop, but which is likely to suffer largely
from a sort of blast that struck the crop about
the LIST Of August. Previous TO that time the
crop was in an apparently healthy and vigorous
condition, giving great promise. Although it
had suffered much from the onion maggot, that
which had escaped this pest was growing Wig
orously and commencing to bottom in excellent
shape. The tops were looking healthy, but
suddenly the extremities commenced TO turn
white aud droop and in a very short time
hardly a week-were all dried down, with the
bulbs remaining just as they were when attack
cd. The Connecticut onions will this year,
therefore, be rather small-much below the
usual average size. The quality will be as good
as ever, and it is believed by some that the
greatly diminished quantity will have SO favor
able an influence upon the price that growers
will realize as much as they would il the crop
had continued its growth 10 natural ma
turity. The reduction in quantity of the crop
is estimated 10 be from 40 TO 60 per cent below
that Of average years This may have a favor
able effect in that section, as the price has been
growing less and less for a number of years.
NOTES
Store beets, carrots, parsnips and turnips
in bins in the cellar and pack them in dry sand
or earth, and they will keep well for Winter
use. This method will enable the farmer TO
use them at any time, which will not be the
case If they be stored in mounds in the open
air.
Grease Of any kind will destroy lice on
cattle, but the use OF grease 10 a great extent
will injure the cattle. II single animal be
infested with lice, all the other animals will
soon be in the same condition. A pound of
carbolate Of lime mixed with bushel Of fine,
dry dirt freely scattered on the backs Of animals
i harmless remedy, and will prove successful
IL used daily.
- Those making use Of driven wells should
remember that the patent expired two years
ago, aud that the wells put down since then arc
free Of any royalty; Also that the right OF any
person claiming to act as agent Of the patentee
shonld be clearly established before money is
paid him. IL is a good rule in all such cases 10
20 slow aud act with neighb0rs.
- sand may be used 10 considerable adyan-
tage IN agriculture, either in literally busting
IL over stable floors using il as a bedding for
the animals. BY thus becoming mixed with
| the manure, IL not only prevents it from be-
coming too compact aud lumpy, but renders il
more like old compost, ready To be applied 10
| the land without the trouble Of so much hand.
ling in turning over.
- Sometimes it is difficult TO distinguish be.
| tween a green and a ripe watermelon. The
| ripe melon has a rougher appearance, cracks
when pressed and gives of dull, heavy sound
| when tapped, while some contend that the dry.
4 ing up Of the "curl " at the connecting end IA
also a sign Of ripencss. The green melon is
smooth and bright, and gives off loud clear
sound when tapped with the fingers.
Among breeds of poultry possessing merit
as egg-producers may be mentioned those OF
the Hamburg family. The Hamburgs are also
very handsome fowls, and this, in addition tc
their value as prolific layers, secures them a
| considerable favor. The meat and bones being
| dark, they are not in demand among market
men. Perhaps, however the most undesirable
| Characteristic of this race is that while young
| they are delicate; yet after six or seven month.
| they appear 10 be hardy. In the South, oil
wherever they can keep warm or com Portable
they thrive and prove fine layers. This family
includes the Golden-penciled, silver penciled
! and silver spangled varieties. The silver.
| spangled fowls, though small, are peculiarly
graceful and sprightly. They represent q
fayoTite breed with those poultry-keepers who
take pleasure in the beauty as well as the
utility Of their fowls. None of the Hamburg.
show much disposition 20 sit unless In state
Of great freedom; but they have been known
TO lay nearly every day through the year ex
eept through the melting season.
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
NR..Ns. ~.